Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Looking for a lightweight option that has just enough grip for a good time on the trails? The women's Altra Superior 7 trail-running shoes give you everything you need for off-road adventures.
Imported.
View the Altra Superior Product LineView all Altra Women's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
| Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal Cushion |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 0 |
| Heel Stack Height (mm) | 21 |
| Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 21 |
| Footwear Height | Ankle |
| Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
| Upper | Engineered knit with textured TPU overlays and protective netting |
| Lining | Nylon |
| Midsole | Compression-molded EVA |
| Outsole | MaxTrac |
| Rock Plate | No |
| Weight (Pair) | 15.4 ounces |
| Gender | Women's |
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I'm not sure, but these feel much more like the Superiors of old! {This review is for the Superior 7s.} The fit is good - though for some reason even though I'm typically an 8.5 in Altras, I seem to need a size 9 for the trail models. The traction/tread is great. Flexibility is about where I want it - not 100% barefoot feel but not too stiff either. Anyway, the only thing I changed up are the laces - opting for the "stretchy" type. Just a personal preference. One zonk for the gray color - a bit boring, but probably they'll be covered in dirt and such soon enough. Finally, I'm not typically what you call a "sock wearer." These have a soft enough interior that I can go barefoot inside the shoe. I'd recommend these if you're looking for that compromise between a slight barefoot feel but not sacrifice protection for your feet in rough trail running; and you prefer a zero drop feel.
I've owned several pairs of altras. I wear size 7.5 in lone peaks and 8 in superiors. Unfortunately the superior 7 is too tight across the mid foot. Odd design where loosening the shoelaces at the first pair of eyelets does nothing to give more space because there's simply not enough fabric around that area. Compared to the superior 5 these are much tighter on top, and gave me pain when I tried them on. However, the soles on the 7s are a bit more comfortable than the 5s.
I was so hoping that Altra would fix Superior 6’s problem with the tight fit across the top with this new version, but this ain’t it! The Superior 5s are my all time favorites, took my old pair off to try these on and these new ones are so, so tight on the top of my foot. I’ll be returning these and waiting for something better from Altra.
I bought these to replace my well-loved Superior 3's and I could not be happier. These are lightweight and as comfortable as slippers while still having the support and traction for walking and hiking. These are narrower than some models, but I feel they fit my wide feet better than my Olympus 6's that my feet just slide around in. I normally wear a size 11 but always buy my Altras in size 12. Thank you REI for carrying this shoe in size 12.
I purchased this pair for hiking as I have a dedicated pair of Altra Lone Peak for trail running. Me and my dogs hike every day, usually gravel roads, woods or the beach. This shoe manages it all. I like the comfortable cushioning, which gives comfort but is not so thick that one loses a feel for the the terrain. The color is bomb, too.
I love these shoes, but unfortunately they seem to tight. I am hoping to try them on in a size larger and fix the problem.
I have been getting altra shoes forever. I got my first pair of the superior 5's when I was in 4th grade. I am in 9th grade now. I loved the 5s and wore them everywhere. They were comfortable and fit my feet well. I wore them for all my sports. I recently needed a new pair of shoes and I got the superior 7's because they no longer make the superior 5's. They where a completely different style and shoe that did not fit at all. I tried multiple sizes and none fit correctly. They are way to tight on the top of the foot and not a big enough toe box. I ended up returning them. I will have to find another brand that has also has zero drop good quality running shoes to were until they make a new model that is more similar to the superior 5's. Altra used to be my go to shoe but the quality has significantly declined since the 5's.
This is a different product and it is way to narrow. I have worn the 5's for the past 6 years and have loved them. I bought these and they are not nearly as good. I started running before I could walk and have been running ever since. I do multiple running sports for my school including cross country and track. I do trail runs for fun. This is a terrible shoe and I will be finding a different brand unless the 8's are more like the 5's.
I have bought the Superior trail runners for the past 10 years. I use them for hiking, trail running and backpacking. They are light weight, breathable, ergonomic and all around my favorite minimalist outdoor shoe that I've found. The only downside is that the top fabric does wear and usually breaks around the toe or around the side before the tread wears completely. Even with they flaw, I continue to buy them.
I was hoping this version would be better but I was disappointed! PLEASE PLEASE bring back the 4. 5! It fit me like a Cinderella shoe. I'd buy 5 or more pairs if they did. Now I've been searching for a diff zero drop shoe which there's not many out there that fit. Pretty sad about that.


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